Advanced Cooking Education Program for NYC Youth

Building culinary and stress-management skills through a culturally inclusive after-school club

Minority adolescents, as well as those from low-income communities, are at risk for developing diet-related chronic diseases. They are also more likely to live in single-parent households or have parents with irregular work schedules, meaning they’re often responsible for cooking for themselves and others. This project team is designing an evidenced-based, culturally inclusive after-school club to address overall wellness and professional development.

The 16-week Advanced Cooking Education (ACE) Program combines mindfulness exercises, nutrition education, cooking labs and professional development where participants learn about career opportunities in the field of nutrition, broadly. Being pilot tested with eighth graders at three New York City middle schools, the program employs undergraduate research assistants who participate in the research and community-engagement activities.